Winning Words 11/11/10
“Freedom is never free.” (Unknown) How is one to figure the cost of war? It is not found by just adding up the figures in the military budget. In his Gettysburg Address Lincoln talked about the real cost of war…”those brave men, living and dead,” who paid the price of freedom for us. In Canada, it’s Remembrance Day; for us it’s Veteran’s Day. Either way, it’s a reminder that freedom is never free. ;-) Jack

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: We are a big supporter of our soldiers and vets. My grandson has a t-shirt with "Freedom is Never Free!" and he wears it proudly. While watching President Bush talk about his new book, it was humbling to us all when he talked about the men and women killed in this lastest war and the emotions and tears. Each president has his crosses to bear, as we all do when we are at war. Thank you to all the vets or people who have lost loved ones to war! "Freedom is never free!" FROM JACK: In the comic strip, Arlo 'N' Janis, Arlo says: "At the end of World War I, November 11 became 'Armistice Day.' But we no longer call it 'Armistice Day.' After Word War II and the Korean War, it became 'Veterans Day.' And we no longer call World War I, 'The War to End All Wars.'" ....and so, we continue to honor our veterans and those who are currently in the armed forces, placing themselves in harm's way for the cause of freedom. I know some of them, and you may know some, too. MORE FROM OJ: Some changes aren't good...just politically correct. I'm not for that at all....too watered down. (We have a way of watering down things we don't want to confront don't we?) Anyway, I have been watching coverage all morning of veterans and memorial services. Also, I would attend the memorial for the Edmond Fitzgerald each November at the Mariner's Church by the RenCen along with several attorney friends. Always so moving! It's a good day to be alive thanks to people who have died for us!

FROM RS IN MICHIGAN: You probably have already see this. I received it from 3 different
people yesterday, but in case you didn’t you will love it.
It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, Who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN, not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN, Who salutes the Flag,
It is the veteran, Who serves under the Flag,
We can be very proud of our men and women in the service,no matter where they serve.
God Bless them all!!! FROM JACK: The cause of Freedom is important for us all, not just for some.

FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE: Thank you. FROM JACK: Though I was not able to serve in the armed forces, I still support those who have.

FROM PO IN MICHIGAN: ..............and it takes an enormous amount of personal responsibility to handle it.
FROM JACK: Today, I especially remember one whose name is inscribed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.

MORE FROM OJ: Some changes aren't good...just politically correct. I'm not for that at all....too watered down. (We have a way of watering down things we don't want to confront don't we?) Anyway, I have been watching coverage all morning of veterans and memorial services. Also, I would attend the memorial for the Edmond Fitzgerald each November at the Mariner's Church by the RenCen along with several attorney friends. Always so moving! It's a good day to be alive thanks to people who have died for us!

FROM MOLINER CF: "Band of Brothers," while it began with Shakespeare, has more meaning than ever these days. Let us never forget. FROM JACK: Those who don't learn from the past are doomed to relive the past.....Or something like that.

FROM SG IN TAMPA: And you just have to visit a National Cemetery any day to realize how true that is. We always have a very beautiful ceremony at the National Cemetery in Bushnell and so it was today. FROM JACK: We have a National Cemetery in our area which opened recently. It is being rapidly filled with veterans and the spouses. One of our church members was buried there recently.

FROM MO IN ILLINOIS: I THINK WE ARE ALL MORE AWARE OF THE COST OF FREEDOM, WITH YOUNG MEN BEING BROUGHT HOME MAIMED OR KILLED IN THIS CRAZY MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT. ONE OF OUR YOUNG MEN (HIS NAME WAS YOUNG: AND 25 YRS. OLD:-( ) WAS LAUDED AND BURIED TODAY, KILLED BY A ROADSIDE BOMB IN AFGHANISTAN. MAKES ME JUST SICK. SO MANY LIVES CUT SHORT!! THERE NEVER WAS A VETERAN'S DAY THAT BILL DID NOT THINK OF FOUR OF HIS CLASSMATES WHO DID NOT COME BACK FROM WW2. HE'D SAY, "THEY NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO MARRY, HAVE A FAMILY OR
PROFESSION...." A SAD THOUGHT. BILL SERVED IN THE NAVY, GRADUATED IN ABSENTIA FROM H.S. AS HE WAS ALREADY I N TRAINING AT GREAT LAKES BY MAY OF'44. SO YES, FREEDOM HAS A TERRIBLE COST. FROM JACK: Many of my college and seminary classmates were returning veterans from WW2. They were "different" from the typical student. They seemed more focused.

FROM PRPH: i think we also need to note that many wars in human history were totally unnecessary. WW I is a classic example. Perhaps even the Civil War. i love that phrase: war is simply a collosal failure of the human imagination to find workable and peaceful solutions to the conflicts of life. FROM JACK: I'm sure that your words about unnecessary wars have been debated over and over again by historians, without resolution. Today, I was reading an article about divorces, the good ones and the bad ones. To paraphrase your last sentence: "Divorce is simply a colossal failure of the human imagination to find workable and peaceful solutions to the conflicts of life. " In a perfect world, there would be no divorces (or wars).